Contents


Preface

Gene manipulation and polymerase chain reaction technologies, which were born in the late 1870s, drastically changed the world of biotechnology. A substantial number of genes have been cloned from various species, and many genome

sequences have been determined using these technologies. Moreover, the emergence of cloning technology and the discovery of embryonic stem (ES) cells drastically changed life science research. In the last several decades, the pathology of many diseases was elucidated by testing transgenic animals. The discovery of ES cells leads to the discovery of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and regenerative medicine using iPS cells is being used in several clinical trials at present. Biotechnology in life

 With great expectations, the progress of biotechnology has imparted novel and important roles to biochemical engineers. Previously, the main role of biochemical engineers had been to design bioreactors that produced industrially important compounds under optimal conditions. Examples of these new roles for biochemical engineers include application of gene manipulation technology to bioremediation and production of bioenergy and novel chemicals. Moreover, the role has expanded to the medical field where tissue engineering, drug delivery, and therapy have

Based on this background, this book deals with current topics in biochemical engineering. The chapters of this book discuss research that has introduced artificial enzymes, kinetic models in bioprocessing, a small-scale production process, and production of energy with microbial fuel. These chapters offer novel ideas for the production of effective compounds and energy. Moreover, other research has introduced the production technology of stem cells and biomedical processes using nanoshells and extracellular vesicles, which will give important information for

I would like to thank Ms. Sara Petanjek and the publishing managers of InTech Publisher for their support and assistance throughout the writing and publication

> **Naofumi Shiomi** Kobe College, Japan

science continues to progress on a day-to-day basis.

grown drastically.

regenerative medicine and therapy.

processes of this book.
